There were reports that over 40 objections had been registered. The process of verifying the delegates lasted for ten hours and took up most of the day.

Further delays are expected until the objections over credentials are resolved.

Meanwhile, Eastern Cape PEC member, Andile Lungisa is adamant that they will challenge the process if it’s contaminated byghost delegates.

“Our responsibility is to ensure that branches that have been elected through properly elected branches must participate. People who have been accredited through fraudulent processes cannot participate in this conference. As leaders we have a responsibility ofensuring that the process is credible, clean and follows the ANC constitution.”

Earlier, delegates had to be properly verified through a headcount- calling their names one by one before they were allowed into the venue.

The process started in the morning and has dragged for hours.

NEC member, Lindiwe Zulu says systems are in place to ensure correct processes are observed, “Time is of essence yes but we don’t to determine the results of any conference in terms of deliberations or in terms of elections which need to happen. Right now we are sticking to the processes that are very well tabulated of the ANC because we don’t want to be challenged over processes. However the statement we would like to make is that conferences are not determined by the time which they took for the conference to take place. In terms of logistics we are still on time.”

Tight security measures have been put in place at the ANC Provincial Elective Conference currently under way in East London ICC in the Eastern Cape. This follows chaotic scenes at the conference when a faction believed to support Phumulo Masualle forced its way into the venue.

Police were called in to diffuse the tension. But the verification of delegates resumed just before noon today.

Outgoing provincial chairperson Phumulo Masualle and provincial secretary, Oscar Mabuyane are battling it out for the position of chairperson. Makhaya Komisa has more.

Chaotic scenes unfolded in the ANC conference as some delegates alleged that the current list of delegates was not authentic. Even some deployed NEC members have greed that the conference has been marred by irregularities which have led to disputes.

ANC provincial spokesperson Mlibo Qoboshiyane says delegates will only be allowed to enter the conference venue if they are carrying identity documents and are accredited.